"I'le make that vow with all my heart, My men shall bear witness with me; 310 And if thou slay me here this day, In Scotland worse belov'd thou never shalt be." They turn'd their horses thrice about, To run the race so eagerly; Lord Phenix he was fierce and stout, 315 And ran Tom Pots through the thick o' th' thigh. He bor'd him out of the saddle fair, Down to the ground so sorrowfully: "For the loss of my life I do not care, But for the loss of my fair lady. 320 "Now for the loss of my lady sweet, Which once I thought to have been my wife, I pray thee, Lord Phenix, ride not away, For with thee I would end my life." Tom Pots was but a serving-man, 325 But yet he was a doctor good; He bound his handkerchief on his wound, And with some kind of words he stancht his blood.[L329] He leapt into his saddle again, The blood in his body began to warm; 330 He mist Lord Phenix body fair, And ran him through the brawn of the arm. He bor'd him out of his saddle fair, Down to the ground most sorrowfully; Says, "Prethee, Lord Phenix, rise up and fight, 335 Or yield my lady unto me." "Now for to fight I cannot tell, And for to fight I am not sure; Thou hast run me throw the brawn o' the arm, That with a spear I may not endure. 340 "Thou'st have the lady with all my heart; It was never likely better to prove With me, or any nobleman else, That would hinder a poor man of his love." "Seeing you say so much," said Tommy Pots, 345 I will not seem your butcher to be; But I will come and stanch your blood, If any thing you will give me." As he did stanch Lord Phenix blood, Lord! in his heart he did rejoice; 350 "I'le not take the lady from you thus, But of her you'st have another choice. "Here is a lane of two miles long; At either end we set will be; The lady shall stand us among, 355 Her own choice shall set her free." "If thou'l do so," Lord Phenix said, "To lose her by her own choice it's honesty; Chuse whether I get her, or go her without, Forty pounds I will give thee." 360 But when they in that lane was set, The wit of a woman for to prove, "By the faith of my body," the lady said, "Then Tom Pots must needs have his love." Towards Tom Pots the lady did hie, 365 To get behind him hastily; "Nay stay, nay stay," Lord Phenix said, "Better proved it shall be.